Imagine spending a fun day at the beach with your family, taking innocent photos of your children playing in the sand, only to later discover the shocking truth – you were unknowingly posing next to an unexploded World War II mine! This terrifying incident recently occurred on a beach near Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, leaving a family amazed and grateful to have narrowly avoided disaster.
Kelly Gravell, a 32-year-old mother, took her two children to the beach last Wednesday, never suspecting the danger that awaited them. As they walked along the shoreline, they came across an object partially hidden by seaweed. At first glance, it appeared to be a harmless buoy – a common sight on coastal beaches.
What makes this story even more astonishing is that the Gravell family had visited this beach many times before. Little did they know that just a few days after their visit, the beach would be closed. During routine inspections, Carmarthenshire Council rangers identified the object as a 70-year-old bomb from World War II.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the council wasted no time in calling in the bomb squad to neutralize the threat. A controlled detonation was carried out, capturing the attention of onlookers and highlighting the danger posed by hidden wartime relics beneath the sand. Luckily, the bomb was rendered safe without causing any harm.
The father, Gareth, took to Twitter to share his surprise and disbelief. He posted pictures of his children innocently playing with the disguised explosive during their beach visit. With a touch of humor, his tweet read, “So the buoy my kids were jumping on all weekend turns out to be a WWII bomb. Oops.” This lighthearted response reflects their fortunate escape from harm.
Kelly Gravell expressed her shock and gratitude, saying, “We were close to disaster – it’s shocking.” The couple, who run a waste management firm, have every intention of returning to the beach, but with a heightened sense of caution. They now understand the importance of being vigilant and avoiding unfamiliar objects. Ms. Gravell said, “We’ll definitely think twice before messing with something like that in the future.”
Councillor Meryl Gravell, the executive board member for leisure at Carmarthenshire Council, reassured the public that the necessary steps had been taken to address the situation. She also apologized for any inconvenience caused by the temporary beach closure. This incident serves as a stark reminder that remnants of wartime history can be hidden dangers, even in seemingly peaceful coastal settings.
The Gravell family’s experience is a stark reminder of the importance of being cautious and observant when encountering unfamiliar objects on the beach. Sometimes, the potential risks may not be immediately apparent. It is crucial to remember that dismissing seemingly harmless items could have dire consequences. As the Gravell family discovered, what starts as a simple day at the beach can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation if we fail to acknowledge the historical remnants beneath the sands of time. So next time you’re at the beach, keep your eyes open and stay safe!
